Johns Hopkins Institutions



Legislative Hotline

2004 SESSION OF THE
MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY



Volume 12, Number 10 March 31, 2004


Here are some of the hot issues as the 2004 Legislative Session develops:

CAPITAL BUDGET

BILLS INTRODUCED
STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

CAPITAL BUDGET

The Senate of Maryland passed the capital budget on Friday, March 26th. For Johns Hopkins, the capital budget included $2 million for the construction of a new off-site library shelving facility in Laurel, Maryland.

The Senate's budget also included $4.5 million for the East Baltimore Biotechnology Park. The House of Delegates will make final budget decisions next week.

BILLS INTRODUCED
 Business Operations
General Health Care
Higher Education
Medicaid


BILLS INTRODUCED

Business Operations

HB 1432   Minority Business Enterprise Program - Not for Profit Entities
House Bill 1432 would allow nonprofits "controlled" by members of a "socially or economically disadvantaged group" to be certified as an Minority Business Enterprise. "Control" would mean that at least 51% of the Board of Directors, or 51% of the full-time employees are members of a group that is socially or economically disadvantaged - and Maryland law presumes that women, African-Americans, and other recognized racial minorities meet that qualification.

For many nonprofits, House Bill 1432 tries to address several issues that nonprofits have experienced in recent years when contracting with state agencies to provide human and social services. Nonprofits may not be certified as MBE's unless they are organized to primarily serve individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

Effective Date: October 1, 2004

For more information, please contact: Bret Schreiber

HB 1538  Maryland Task Force on the Status of Women and Information Technology
This bill creates a 20-member Task Force on the Status of Women and Information Technology to:

The task force must present an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly by October 1 of each year, beginning October 1, 2004.

Effective Date: July 1, 2004

For more information, please contact: Bret Schreiber

[ Go to Bills Introduced]

General Health Care

HB 981  Health and Human Services Referral System
The bill creates a statewide information and referral system for the Department of Health and Human Services. To access the referral system a person could dial 2-1-1 anywhere in the state. The referral system would be overseen by a 15-member board consisting of various state officials, nonprofit organizations, and utility companies.

Effective Date: October 1, 2004

For more information, please contact: Jim Kaufman

[ Go to Bills Introduced]

Higher Education

HB 1273  Teachers - Certification - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Course Credit
This bill would require that in order to qualify for a Maryland teacher's certificate, the candidate would have to complete a minimum number of semester hours covering fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Teachers who hold certification prior to July 1, 2004, would be required to complete the semester hours over their next certification renewal period. The State Superintendent of Schools and the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Boards would set the requirements.

Effective Date: July 1, 2004

For more information, please contact: Suchita Lorick

SB 934  Higher Education - Nursing Scholarships
Senate Bill 934 authorizes the Maryland Higher Education Commission to award a nursing scholarship to a nursing student attending an out-of-state eligible institution. The student must have been turned down by an in-state institution first, due to a lack of capacity at an in-state institution. The student must also agree to work in Maryland in a nursing profession after their graduation.

Effective Date: Emergency Measure (Effective upon enactment)

For more information, please contact: Bret Schreiber

[ Go to Bills Introduced]

Medicaid

HB1363  Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Estate Recoveries
The bill allows the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to file a claim against the estate of a decreased Medicaid program recipient within five years of their death. The claim may not be filed if the surviving spouse is less than 21 years of age, is blind, or permanently and totally disabled.

Effective Date: July 1, 2004

For more information, please contact: Jim Kaufman

[ Go to Bills Introduced]

STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
Please contact Government Relations if you have concerns or would like additional information. Your input assists us greatly in evaluating and formulating the position of Johns Hopkins on all legislation.

Legislative Session Office
47 State Circle, Suite 203
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-269-0057
fax 410-269-1574


Sheila Higdon shigdon@jhmi.edu
Jim Kaufman jkaufma@jhmi.edu
Bret Schreiber bschreiber@jhu.edu
Heather Woods Barthel hbarthe1@jhmi.edu
Suchita Lorick slorick@jhsph.edu
Mickey Giesler mgeisler@jhu.edu

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ACRONYMS

Legislative Hotline is a collaborative service of The Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine offices of Government Relations.

© 2004 The Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore, Maryland.
Office of Government, Community and Public Affairs.
Last updated 04mar31